Signal ornament



J. F. PLATT 2,265,670

SIGNAL ORNAMENT Filed March 5, 1941 INVENTOR. (/6/6/27/4/7 f? f PatentedDec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE SIGNAL ORNAMENT 2 Jeremiah F.Plait, Kansas City, Mo. Application March 3, 1941, Serial No. 381,603

(cram-59) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to ornaments to be worn on the clothing andparticularly signal ornaments having the characteristic of emittinglight rays or reflecting rays of light for the purpose of issuing awarning to motorists that a pedestrian is dangerously close.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of a signalornament of the aforementioned character, having means for securing thesame to the wearing apparel of the user and having associated therewith,a specially formed body the nature of which will reflect rays of lightdirected thereagainst, or which will become illuminated over its entiresurface area when the specially disposed lamp is caused to burn.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide a signalornament for personal wear, having a pin and catch for securing theornament in place, which pin serves to close a. switch and therebyillurninate the ornament when the pin is in'the operative position withthe catch.

This invention has for an even further aim, to provide an ornament ofthe above mentioned character, with a specially designed, transparentbody within which is housed a lamp for purpose of illumination, and anovelly designed reflector, the nature of which reflector insures thatrays from the lamp will be directed to all parts of the transparentbody.

Other objects of the invention including deand supports a resilientfinger 28', the free end tails of construction and method of assembly,will appear during the course of the following" specification referringto the accompanying drawing wherein: v

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the signal ornament made in accordancewith the present invention and illustrating the same in use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the ornament showing the nodules onthe face thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through the ornament taken on lineIII-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a back plan view of the ornament showing the manner in whichthe electrical circuit to the lamp may be completed.

The most essential component part of the ornament is a transparent body8, provided with a central, transverse bore l8 extending therethrough atthe axis thereof. The outer arouate face of body 8 has a' number ofmodules I2 formed thereon to-increase the surface area and scatter theemitting light rays so thatthe body may be effectively seen fromdifferent angles.-

Body 8 is mounted in a holder comprising a plate l4 annularly flanged asat I6 and having an inturned edge l8 entering a groove 28 formed aroundthe outer edge of body 8. Between plate l4 and the innermost planar sideof body 8, is disposed a flber support 2| for lamp 22; A central boss 24projects into bore l8 and a screwthreaded bushing 26 is in engagementwith the conventional screwthreads of lamp 22.

Plate I4 is cut away as illustrated in Fig. 5

of which is movable toward and from the contact of'lamp 22. conductor 38extending to a source of electric energy, such as battery B, and asimilar conductor 32 extends from battery B to bushing 24 into whichlamp 22 is screwed. Thus, when.

finger 28 bears against lamp 22, the circuit is closed and the lamp willbe caused to burn and illuminate all of body 8. Such illumination isinsured by the employment of reflector 34, having a conical reflectingsurface 36, the apex of which is on the axis 0! lamp 22. This reflector34 is of split construction to permit ease in removing and replacing,and when lamp 22 needs to .be renewed, reflector 34 is withdrawn frombore ill for the purpose.

Since accidental opening of the circuit to lamp 22 may defeat thepurpose of the signal ornament, at night, means is provided for closingthe circuit and maintaining the same in such condition so long'as theornament is in the operative position on the garment oi the wearer.

Pin 38 and catch 40 of well-known character are arranged as shown inFigs. 3 and 4. When pin 28 is swung about its pivotalconnection 42, tocause the free end to engage catch 48, a part of the garment 44 isdisposed between flnger 28 and pin 38. Thus, flnger 28 is forced againstlamp 22 but insulation is provided in the form of the fabric throughwhich pin 38 is passed.

If the source of electrical energy should accidentally be depleted, thenodules [8 on the face of body 8 will serve to catch projected rays oflight from a head-lamp and the reflecting characteristics of body 8 willserve to re-project certain of the rays to warn the approachingmotorist. This unique, novel and inexpensive signal ornament is easilyattached and worn and may be secured to any part of the garment. Thebattery B is small and may be pocketed where desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is Finger 28 is in connectionwith claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Ratent is.

1. A signal ornament of the character described comprising a transparentbody; a lamp mounted on the body to illuminate the same; a pin swingablycarried by the b'ody; a catch receiving the pin to hold the latter inoperative I position; a circuit for supplying electrical energy to thelamp; and a switch, having a resilient finger in the path of travel ofthe pin, in the circuit, said switch being closed by the pin coming intoengagement with the finger to flex the same when the pin is received bythe catch.

2. A signal ornament of the character described comprising a transparentbody; a lamp mounted on the body to illuminate the same; a

pin swingably carried by the body; a catch receiving the pin to hold thelatter inoperative position; a circuit for supplying electrical energyto the lamp; and a switch in the circuit, said switch being closed bythe pin when the latter is received by the catch, said body having abore formed therethrough, said lamp being within the bore at one endthereof, the other end of said bore being closed by a plug having arefiector in opposed relation to the lamp formed to direct rays of lightradially into the transparent body.

3. A signal ornament of the character described comprising a transparentbody having a bore formed transversely therethrough at' the axisthereof; a holder for the body secured against one side of the body; alamp on the holder extending into the bore at one end thereof; aresilient switch finger carried by the holder for movement toward andfrom the lamp to make and break the electrical circuit thereto; a pinswingably supported on the holder; a catch receiving the pin to hold thelatter in operative position; and a plug closing the oppositeend of thebore having a conical reflecting face adjacent to the lamp to directrays of light radially through the transparent body, said switch fingerbeing held in a circuit closing position when the pinis intthe operativeposition.

4. A signal ornament as set forth in claim 3, characterized by noduleson the opposite side of the body to increase the surface area thereof.

JEREMIAH F. PLATT.

